Apparatus for supporting sand pipes on locomotives



Aug. 17 1926. 1,596,453

D. w. RICHARDS APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING SAND PIPES ON LOCOMOTIVES Filed May 28, 1926 w r L0c'0m0tir/e Frame viNVENTORI Patented Aug. 17, 1925.

DANIEL W. RICHARDS, OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING SAND PIPES ON LOCOMQTIVIJS.

Application filed May 28,

My invention relates to apparatus for sup porting the sand pipes on railway locomotives, and has for an object the provision of means for preventii'ig the sand pipe from dropping into thetrackway in the event that the sand pipe breaks off.

I will describe two forms of supporting apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a view showing in side elevation a portion of a railway locomotive provided with sand pipe supporting apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the supporting apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental view, partially sectioned, illustrating a modified form of the supporting apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and also embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference character A designates a depending sand pipe such as is commonly employed on railway locomotives and ordinarily located in such position that the lower extremity A of the sand pipe is adjacent one of the track rails B over which the locomotive passes. The sand pipe is usually located immediately in rear of one of the locomotive drive wheels, indicated on the drawing at C. Sand pipes of the type described may, under some conditions, become broken or detached from the locomotive, so that the sand pipe may drop down into the trackway.. Because of the fact that the sand nipe is located adjacent one of the track rails, it may happen that when a sand pipe becomes detached from the locomotive adjacent a switch, it drops into the space between a switch point and the stock rail, thereby interfering with the proper operation of the switch and creating a dangerous condition.

To prevent such occurrence I provide supporting apparatus for the sand pipe comprising a bracket E rigidly attached to the locomotive frame D and having a horizontal leg E extending at right angles to and above the track rail. A rigid arm F is provided at its upper end on the extremity of the leg E and is fastened in place by some suitable means such as a nut 10 threaded on the end of the leg E With this construc- 1926. Serial No. 112,298.

tion the hinged joint K between the bracket E and the arm F permits the arm to swing freely with respect to the bracket in the vertical plane of the rail. Ihe arm F is curved to conform to the shape of the sand pipe A and is so located as to occupy a position sul stantially parallel to the sand pipe. The arm F is provided at spaced points with a plurality of clamps each designated by the reference character G and comprising two members 1 and 2 which are drawn into gripping engagement with the arm F and the sand pipe A by bolts 3. It will be seen therefore that with this arrangement the sand pipe is supported by the rigid arm F at a plurality of points along the length of the pipe but that the hinged joint K permits motion of the arm F and the sand pipe as a unit if engaged by any obstruction and thereby prevents breaking of the sand pipe. Should a portion of the pipe become detached, that portion of the pipe would be held in place by one or more of the clamps G so that it' would be impossible for a broken sand pipe to drop into the trackway and interfere with a switch.

To permit less restricted motion of the arm F and the sand pipe the bracket E may be connected with the arm F through a universal joint K as shown in Figs. 3 and 4;. IVith this construction the arm F is provided with a spherical upset end 9, and the end of the bracket E is provided with a socket 8 to receive the end 9 of the arm F. A bearing cap 7 is attached to the bracket E by means of bolts 5 to retain the upset end of the arm F in the socket. It will be seen that with the universal oint K constructed in this manner pivotal motion of the arm F in any direction with respect to the bracket E is permitted, thereby decreasing the lie-- bility of breakage resulting from engagement with an obstruction.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of supporting apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifi cations may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus what I claim is:

1. In combination on a locomotive, a de-- pending sand pipe having its lower end adjacent a track rail,.and a depending arm described my invention.

pivotally supported by the locomotive frame and ext-ending parallel to said sand pipe and attached thereto at a plurality of spaced points.

2. In combination on a locomotive, a depending sand pipe having its lower end adjacent a track rail, and a rigid arm pivotaily attached to the locomotive frame and a taciied to said sand pipe at a plurality o spaced points.

3. In combination on a locomotive, a r gid arm attached to the frame of the loco otire through universal joint and depending therefrom in such position that the lower ex remit r of such arm is adj acenta track rail, and a sand pipe depending from the locomotive and secured to said arm at a plurality of spaced points in a position snlw stantiall r parallel with such arm.

4-. On a locomotive, the combination with sand pipe having its lower end adjacent track rail. or a bracketri lly fastened to the locomotive frame, an arm having its 1 nper end pirotally attached to said bra c l depending substantially parallel with holding the sand pipe to prevent portions of nch pipe from dropping into the trackwav should the sand pipe become broken.

5. in combination on a locomotive, a sand aipe, bra ket attached to the locomotive e, a supporting arm having its upper pivotally attached to said bracket to the arm to swing in a vertical plane 1 through a t-raclzrail a pluralit} oi. attached to said arm at spaced points L 'orting said sand pipe in a position suostan allfx parallel to the arm, said arm and pipe normally occupying positions which the lower end oi? the sand pipe is aciacent said track rail.

6. Supporting appar or a locomotive s d pipe comprising a rigid arm pivotally supper-tee 'l sand pipe and a plurality of clamps l to'said arm at spaced points for pping the said pipe. in testimony whereof ailix my signature.

DANIEL lV. RICHARDS.

by the locomotive frame adjacent 

